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Find your frequency hereDwayne's flag rankings: 1st to 9th on premiership credentials
SEN • August 13th, 2025 8:12 pm
SEN host Dwayne Russell has ranked all of the remaining finals hopefuls by who he likes most to win the premiership.
With nine teams still having their sights on September, Russell explained why he has each team in each position.
His rankings don’t reflect the ladder, but how much he can realistically see them holding the cup aloft on the last Saturday of September at the MCG. Number 1 is most likely, while number 9 is his least likely.
“My premiership rankings are the teams most likely, in my eyes, to win this year's flag, given what we know right now,” Russell said on SEN Afternoons.
1 - Adelaide
“They're pretty much now guaranteed top 2.
“Even if they lose to Collingwood, they've got North Melbourne Round 24.
“I think the Adelaide Crows are in the box seat right now for a home Prelim final run.
“Their injury list is thin. Max Michallaney is the only player unavailable to them at selection this week with injury.
“They have the perfect ladder position to attack the flag from, so I think the Crows are one.”
2 - Geelong
“I've got Geelong two.
“I think the Cats will finish in the top 2, and they've also got pretty much no injuries.
“Heading towards the finals right now, they've got a full list to choose from, and they’ve got Richmond Round 24, so it's a perfect MCG tune-up for Geelong that they should win.
“I think they've won the player management game this year as well with some older players.”
3 - Collingwood
“I've still got Collingwood ranked three, which might surprise a few.
“They've been the best team for most of this season.
“I'm kind of with Champion Data a bit. Yes, last week was poor, but they banked wins early this season, so I think a top-four spot should still be theirs if they beat Melbourne in Round 24.
“They've got a few injuries now, but there's a chance that they'll have most of these players back for the finals.
“Beau McCreery, Jeremy Howe, and Bobby Hill should be back. So I’ve got Collingwood three.”
4 - Hawthorn
“I've got Hawthorn at 4.
“They're in form at the right time of the year.
“Their backline has evolved nicely. Sicily's back in form. They’ve got a potent forward line with multiple options.
“No Day or Weddle hurts, but they're firing at the right end of the season, and they should beat Melbourne this week and confirm a top 6 spot and maybe a home Elimination Final.”
5 – Western Bulldogs
“I've got the Dogs at 5, even though they're not in the 8 right now.
“I think they'll smash the West Coast this week, and I think they'll beat Fremantle at home at Marvel in Round 24.
“I think a Victorian team can win the flag from 7th or 8th, because they might get the home run through the finals, and they've always got the advantage of maybe playing a home Grand Final against a non-Victorian team.”
6 - Fremantle
“I've got Fremantle at 6.
“I think they need to finish maybe fifth or sixth at worst to win it. It won't be easy from 7th or 8th, because they might have to travel 4 times in a row to win the flag from 7th or 8th.”
7 - Brisbane
“I've got Brisbane ranked 7 because they've got a massive injury list at the moment. Neale, Answerth, Lohmann, Lester, Payne, Coleman, McKenna.
“I think because of their injury list, they're going to find it hard to win the flag as well this year, even though they'll get a few of those players back.”
8 – GWS
“I've got the Giants at 8 as well because of their injury list.
“Kelly, Buckley, Daniels and Hogan has got this foot issue that's been dogging him all year.
“They're going to have to play four away finals against really good opposition to win the flag from there.”
9 – Gold Coast
“I've got the Gold Coast at 9, which might surprise a few.
“I think they'll make the 8. But can they actually win the flag from 4th, 5th or 6th?
“It'll be a big stage for them every week. It’ll be their first time in the finals. I think they can win a final, but do I think they can win the Grand Final? Probably not.”
